After leaving the game with an injury against Dallas, Montreal Canadiens forward Josh Anderson will be ready to play against the Buffalo Sabres.
GAME DAY PREVIEW | Montreal Canadiens (16-16-5) vs Buffalo Sabres (15-19-4)
GAME DAY: Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres.Game Preview
Roster News
To everyone's surprise, Josh Anderson was a full participant in the morning skate. Anderson will be in the lineup against the Sabres.
Josh Anderson is the Molson Cup recipient for the month of December. Anderson will be recognized prior to tonight's game.
The Canadiens announced that Christian Dvorak will miss rest of season with torn pectoral muscle. Dvorak will have surgery on Friday. He has not played since December 30th.
As part of their rehabilitation program, Tanner Pearson and Rafael Harvey-Pinard have started skating.
Jake Allen (4-7-2 / 3.40 GAA / .903 SV%) is the confirmed starter for Montreal.
Last Game
The Canadiens took advantage of shoddy Dallas goaltending to build a lead, then fended off a late surge by the Stars.
Last game: MTL 4 vs DAL 3 | F
Players to Watch
- Josh Anderson - Anderson was assisted to the dressing room during the game against Dallas and did not return. Despite speculation that Anderson would be out long-term, he is ready to be a full participant in Thursday night's game.
Matchup for Game 38, Home Game 19
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC. | January 4, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, ESPN, MSG-B
Pre-Game
Josh Anderson
- "It was painful at the time and I thought it would be a more serious injury. After about ten minutes, the pain was gone. I'm relieved to feel 100 percent and be able to be back on the ice tonight."
Juraj Slafkovsky
- "Obviously playing with two great players helps a lot. [..] I knew I could play hockey this whole time. It was just (a matter of) trying to find my game better and better and it's finally coming together."
Projected Canadiens Lineup (subject to change)
Forwards
22 Cole Caufield - 14 Nick Suzuki - 20 Juraj Slafkovsky
91 Sean Monahan - 71 Jake Evans - 17 Josh Anderson
40 Joel Armia - 11 Brendan Gallagher
55 Michael Pezzetta - 13 Mitchell Stephens - 56 Jesse Ylonen
Defensemen
8 Mike Matheson - 58 David Savard
21 Kaiden Guhle - 52 Justin Barron
47 Jayden Struble - 54 Jordan Harris
26 Johnathan Kovacevic
Goaltenders
Starter: 34 Jake Allen (4-7-2 / 3.40 GAA / .903 SV%)
Alternate: 35 Sam Montembeault
Out of the lineup
Scratches: Gustav Lindstrom, Cayden Primeau
Injuries: Carey Price (knee), Chris Wideman (back), Kirby Dach (knee), Rafael Harvey-Pinard (lower body), Alex Newhook (lower body), Tanner Pearson (upper body), Christian Dvorak (upper body)
Visiting Bench
The two teams have met twice this season with Montreal being victorious on both occasions. The Canadiens beat the Sabres 3-1 on October 23rd won 3-2 in a shootout on December 9th. Both games were played at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
This will be the first game of the new year for the Buffalo Sabres. Their last match resulted in a 5-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators on December 31st.
The Sabres are 4-4-2 in their last 10 games against Montreal.
As a Sabre, Jeff Skinner has 25 points in 15 games versus the Canadiens.
Devon Levi (7-6-2 / 3.36 GAA / .887 SV%) is the confirmed starter for the Sabres.
Game Expectations
The Canadiens will play their next two homes games against teams from the Empire State; the Sabres tonight and the Rangers on Saturday night.
Be sure to bookmark THN.com/Montreal for year-round coverage of the Montreal Canadiens, Laval Rocket, and Habs prospects playing in leagues around the world.
Gretzky Signature Series.